Bizjournals Energy and the Environment

The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday said it will study whether hydraulic fracturing, a technique used to crack underground rock seams to get to natural gas and oil, has an adverse impact on water quality and public health.

Gas prices have continued to creep up in Texas as well as nationally, hitting $2.68 for a gallon of unleaded regular today following four week run-up, according to AAA Texas.

Stripes convenience stores throughout Texas stand to gain up to $175,000 in rebates by joining TXU Energy's Energy Efficiency Rebate Program, which gives businesses rebates for implementing sensible procedures to conserve energy in their facilities.

Copano Energy LLC said Thursday that it sold 900,000 common units in addition to its 6.5 million-unit offering that closed March 8. (CPNO)

Manatee County Port Authority approved a long-term, $30 million agreement with Port Dolphin Energy LLC.

Arch Coal Inc. said Thursday it was the successful bidder for a state coal lease for the Otter Creek tracts in southeastern Montana. (ACI)

Hanesbrands has been named the Energy Star 2010 Partner Agency of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a recognition of its energy conservation programs. The company will be presented with the award today.

Two subsidiaries of CVR Energy Inc. have commenced an offering of $250 million in first lien senior secured notes due in 2015 and $250 million second lien senior secured notes due in 2017. (CVI)

The Unshackle Upstate business lobby detailed specific opposition to Gov. David Paterson’s budget proposal on Thursday.

An Atlanta law firm plans to open an energy-focused practice in downtown Portland.

The multinational Applus RTD Group, which has its U.S. headquarters in Houston, has acquired two North American companies that specialize in non-destructive testing & inspection and asset integrity management.

Delta Petroleum Co. stock soared Thursday after it announced plans for the $400 million sale of a stake in its natural-gas assets in Colorado's Piceance Basin. (DPTR)

Two Trico Marines Services Inc. affiliates have been awarded contracts valued at about $40 million. (TRMA)

New York is the least economically vulnerable state in the nation if oil prices spike this summer like they did in 2008, according to a new report.

Troutman Sanders LLP will open an office in Portland, Ore., in April.

To expand its scope of smart-grid services, Black & Veatch has acquired Enspiria Solutions Inc., a consulting and systems-integration company based in Denver.

Apex Oil Co. — potentially on the hook for a $150 million bill to clean up a refinery site in Hartford, Ill. — is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review the matter.

Abraxas Petroleum Corp. ended the fourth quarter and full year of 2009 with net losses. (AXAS)

Should gas prices spike, as they did in the summer of 2008, Florida would be among the 10 least economically vulnerable states, according to a report released today by the Natural Resources Defense Council.

The University at Albany’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering in New York will receive $1.5 million to fund an incubator program for new clean energy companies.